If you are a lover of great adventures you have likely dreamed of journeying to Alaska. This summer the dream came true for me. My six week sojourn began with a month-long mountaineering expedition in the Wrangell - St. Elias range. Our 14 man crew braved zero degree snow storms, climbed vertical ice walls to 16,000 ft peaks, and enjoyed the most striking landscapes I have ever witnessed.

The strenuous month of glacier travel called me into a few days of rest and relaxation in the famous Wonder Lake region of Denali Nationl Park. After several stunning wildlife encounters in this famous park, I thumbed my way 300 miles back to Anchorage, and off I flew to Katmai National Park. It was the great Grizzlies of Katmai that really lit my fire. For eight miraculous days I camped along the heavily bear-travelled beach of Naknek Lake and studied the frenzy of wildlife that congregated at Brooks Falls - bald eagles, sockeye salmon (the species responsible for the frenzy), and of course, the Griz.

For Stories from Alaska click on adventures

For Images from Alaska visit the gallery